6 Vanderbilt redshirt freshmen who could make impact in debut season

Coach Derek Mason and the Vanderbilt Commodores open the 2017 season on Sept. 2 at Middle Tennessee State. The Commodores (6-7) are coming off their eighth all-time bowl game appearance.
Dave Ammenheuser

Some of Vanderbilt’s future impact players stood on the sideline last season.

The Commodores open preseason practice Monday with 19 redshirt freshmen on their roster. Some sat out last season because they needed time to develop. Others simply took a redshirt because they play a position already stocked with proven talent.

They will get their opportunities to crack the lineup and make their names known to the Vanderbilt fan base this season. So here are six redshirt freshmen you don’t know but probably will once they make their debuts this season:

QB Deuce Wallace

No quarterback controversy here. Junior Kyle Shurmur is the undisputed starter. But with Wade Freebeck not returning for his senior season and Shawn Stankavage suffering knee injuries the past two seasons, Wallace appears to be the likely backup. Wallace, a former Sevier County standout, could be used as a running quarterback in an offensive package. But it’s more likely that he would have his debut in the second game of the season against FCS foe Alabama A&M.

RB Jamauri Wakefield

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Running back Jamauri Wakefield(Photo: Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean)

Spring practice stars often don’t carry their momentum into the fall, but Wakefield may be an exception. Sure, all-time leading rusher Ralph Webb, proven power back Khari Blasingame and others will get the bulk of the carries. But Wakefield may carry too much promise simply to sit and watch. He might not get a steady diet of three or four carries every game, but Wakefield certainly will get his chance. By next season, he will have a new competitor in Illinois transfer Ke’Shawn Vaughn, a former Pearl-Cohn standout.

OT Devin Cochran

An offensive tackle would rather not be noticed because it probably means he gave up a sack. Then again, Cochran’s 6-foot-7, 315-pound frame is hard to hide. Cochran should enter camp as a backup tackle, but he faces numerous possible paths to the starting lineup over the course of the season. Starter Justin Skule moves from right tackle to left tackle. Junior Bailey Granier, an experienced utility lineman, is vying for the starting right tackle spot, where sophomore Jared Southers is another option. Cochran could earn starts or break into a rotation at either tackle position. On the offensive line, center Sean Auwae-McMoore is another redshirt freshman who could crack the lineup.

DL Cameron Tidd

Vanderbilt has touted a strong rush defense since coach Derek Mason took over the play-calling duties in 2015, and Tidd fits that skill-set. Tidd, a 6-3, 290-pounder, is a powerful run-stopper who should slide into the rotation up front. Mason thinks this is his deepest defensive line, but youngsters like Tidd must contribute immediately. Also on the defensive line, consider Drew Birchmeier as a redshirt freshman breaking into the rotation.

OLB Kenny Hebert

Vanderbilt needs a better pass rush, and Mason also wants linebackers who can drop into pass coverage. Hebert has the speed and athleticism to fit that mold. His 6-4, 228-pound frame still could use more bulk to become an every-down linebacker, but he should at least earn snaps in passing situations. Also at linebacker, redshirt freshman Andre Mintze is very talented, but he is coming off a 2016 knee injury.

S Zaire Jones

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Safety Zaire Jones(Photo: File / The Tennessean)

Only cornerback Joejuan Williams carried a higher recruit rating among Vanderbilt’s 2016 defensive signees than Jones, and Williams debuted as a freshman last season. Now Jones will get his shot in an otherwise experienced secondary. Granted, there are three upperclassman safeties already in the lineup, but Jones needs to break into that rotation in hopes of taking a leading role next season.

Reach Adam Sparks at asparks@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter @AdamSparks.